Circuit controller for flow indicators



Nov. 17, 1925. 1,561,813

W. T. WILLIAMS CIRCUIT CONTROLLER FOR FLOW INDICATORS Fi1d Nov. 16, 1923 attorney Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

.UNITED STATES PA ENT orrlcs.

WALTER T. WILLIAMS, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER FOR FLOW INDICATORS.

Application filed November 16, 1923. Serial No. 675,177.

- tems, and the object is to provide a simple and practicable mechanism whereby when the fluid supply fails orbecomes dangerous- ,ly depleted, an indicator will be operated calling attention to the conditions. While the apparatus is particularly useful in connection with engine and like lubricating systems, it may of course be utilized for other purposes of agenerally analogous character. V

In the accompanying drawings Fi re 1 is a vert1cal longitudinal sectiona construction,

Fi re 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. 4

In the embodiment disclosed, a casing is employed, comprising a cylindrical body 3 having an opening 4 through one side and" a larger opening .5 through the opposite side. Extending from the side having the opening 4 and covering said opening, is a horizontal tubular arm 6, preferably having a flange 7 that rests against the outer face ofthe body 3. Fastening screws 8 pass through the flange into said body to secure the arm in place. The outer end of the arm is closed by a screw plu 9.

Fulcrumed fietween its ends in the inner end of the tubular arm 6, and as shown at 10, is a lever 11 extending longitudinally in said tubular arm and having its outer arm weighted, as illustratedat 12. Its inner end is downturned as shown at 13 and riveted or otherwise secured to the side of a container or cup 14 movably mounted in the casing body 6. This cup and lever are remova lo and replaceable through the opening 5, which is normally closed by a cover plate 15 secured in place by screws 16, or other suitable fasteners. The cup 14is pro vided in its bottom with a bleed port 17 and at its upper end said cup also has an inwardly extending splash-preventing rim 18,

view through the preferred form ofand a lateral overflow outlet 19 is formed in the upper outer side of the cup just beneath the rim.

A supply nipple 20 is threaded into the upper end of the body 3 and has an internally threaded portion 21, to which may be attached the conduit for the oil or other material. This nipple has a reduced vertically depending nozzle 22 extending through the upper open end of the cup and nearly to the bottom of the same, being surrounded by the splash preventin'g rim 18. An outi let nipple 23, threaded into the lower portion of the body 3, constitutes the bottom of the casing, and is externally threaded, as shown at 24, so that it may be coupled to the pipe or other conduit through which the oil or material flows from the device.

Mounted in the outer end of the tubular arm 6 is a contact element 25, upon which the outer end of the lever 11 is adapted to rest whenthe cup 14 is empty. The outer end of this contact element is in the form of a bindin%post 26 mounted externally of the arm 6. ,etween the contact element and binding post and the inner end of the tubular arm, an outlet port 27 is preferably formed in the bottom of said arm. Any suitable alarm or indicator may be coupled up to the bindingpost. Thus there is shown diagrammatically a'bell 28 included in an electric circuit 29 that also includes the binding post 26, and is suitably grounded on the apparatus.

It will be evident that if this device is included in a fluid circulatory system, as long. as the fluid supplied through the noz 'zle 22 is sutficient to maintain the cup 14 materially filled, notwithstanding the leakage thro h the bleed port 14, the cup will be in its owermost position and thelever 11 out of contact with the element 25. As a consequence the electrical circuit 29, which includes the indicator 28, is broken, and the indicator is inactive. Shouldthe supply of fluid fail or become greatly depleted so that the cup 14 empties through tlfe bleed port 14, then the weight 12 will overbalance said cup and cause the lever to contact with the element 25, thereby closing the electrical circuit and efiecting the operation of the indienter or alarm. The specific construction of the mechanism is important. It will be evident that it is made up of a relatively of the nozzle into the body of the liquid, but

the rim 18 also materially eliminates any danger of its splashing over the interior of the casing. A further advantage is that the nozzle does create agitation over and around the bleed port 17, thereby preventing the sediment or particles collecting on the bottom and closing said bleed port. The outlet 19 from the cup being under the rim and at the outer side insures that the liquid will flow down to the outlet and there is lit- 'tle possibility of the fluid entering the arm 6, but should some pass thereinto, it will find its way through the outlet 27 and not cover the contact elements.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to 'those skilled in the art, without furthen description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size,-

shape, proportion and minor details of con struction may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

or repair if What I claim, is 1. A device of the character set forth comrising a movable circuit controlling memr, a receptacle mounted thereon and hav= mg an open top carryingan inwardly extendi splash preventing rim, a bleed .port in its ower portion and an overflow outlet in its-u per portion below the said rim, and meansor delivering fluid into said receptacle.

2. A. device of the character set forth comprising a movable circuit controlling memher, a receptacle mountedthereon and having an open top carrying an inwardly extending splash preventing rim, a bleed port in its lower portion and an overflow outlet in its upper portion below the said rim, and a fluid supply nozzle extending downwardly through the open top and terminating in the receptacle below said rim.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a chamber and a lateral tubular arm opening thereinto, a lever extending a into. the arm and the chamber, a circuit closerin the arm having a member operated by the lever, a cup carried b the lever and located in the chamber, sai cup having an inturned splash-preventing rim fixed to its upper edge, means for directing liquid into the cu ,and said cup having an overflow outlet f ormed in its side wall'below the rim and in the jside away from the tubular arm.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

WALTER T. WILLIAMS. 

